DAN COX, HOST: Prevention’s better than cure, you’ve heard that time and time again. Nowhere is that more important than when it comes to tackling domestic and family and sexual violence. Preventing it before it starts. The Federal Government's trialling an early intervention program, and one of the twelve sites will be in the Hunter region. Teenage boys at risk of becoming violent will be part of it. So, how will it work?

JENNY MARCHANT, HOST: Kate Thwaites is the Assistant Minister for Women. Good morning.

KATE THWAITES, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY, AGEING AND WOMEN: Well, today we have good news around the gender pay gap. It is closing, but of course, it is still large. It is closing as a result of the work this Government is doing. Particularly the work we are doing to support women in low-paid highly feminised industries - in our caring industries, like aged care and early childhood education.

GREG JENNETT, HOST: Joining me is Labor MP, Member for Jagajaga and Assistant Minister Kate Thwaites, and Liberal MP and Member for Menzies Keith Wolahan. Both are joining us from Melbourne today. Welcome to you both. Why don't we start on childcare. It's very dear to your heart throughout your parliamentary career and perhaps before your parliamentary career, we will start with you Kate. A bit of a road map laid down by the Productivity Commission but it comes at substantial additional cost. At least $5 billion. How is that going to be funded?

How much attention do you pay to your super? Is it “set and forget”? A future-you problem?

If so, you’re not alone – according to recent research half of all Australians are actively engaged with their superannuation, with women even more likely to disengage.

I believe this is because we’ve been thinking about super all wrong.

As Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, I see the impact and the power that super affords to women.

Two months ago we saw the Western Australian nominees announced at Government House. Now we farewell them to Canberra.  They each take inspiration for the nation with them. 

The Australian of the Year Awards have been recognising Australian spirit since 1960.  One hundred years earlier the building in which we now gather first opened. The Constitutional Centre of Western Australia started as the first secondary school in Western Australia in 1858. 

The Albanese Labor Government is committed to supporting families, children and communities in the Northern Territory and to help address the disproportionate rates of gender-based violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In an effort to stop violence before it starts, three new community-led Men’s Wellness Centres will be established in the Top End to provide support for First Nations men and boys with multiple and complex needs to recognise signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER, MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES: I've just come straight from Government House this morning, where I've been sworn in as the Minister for Government Services, a really important portfolio and I'm so thrilled to have it have responsibility for it. Government Services is one of those portfolios that touches probably every Australian one way or another, through Medicare or through Centrelink payments or through child support. So, it's a really important way that Australians interact with government.

It is one week until Australia Day 2025 and all Australians are encouraged to visit www.australiaday.org.au to find local events and plan their day. 

The Australian Government has provided financial support for more than 750 Australia Day 2025 community events in every state and territory. 

ROSS SOLLY, HOST: Just before we came off air yesterday morning, we told you that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had announced his reshuffle. I had to do a double take, because the first thing I was told was that ACT Senator Katy Gallagher had managed to get herself a new portfolio and I thought, that can’t be right, because she’s already got about 26 of them. But yes indeed, she’s had Government Services added to Finance, Public Service, Women and a whole heap of other things. Senator Katy Gallagher joins us this morning. Good morning, Senator.

The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are investing $6 million to expand First Nations tourism in Western Australia, ensuring more visitors can connect with the rich culture and stories of Aboriginal communities.

The Albanese Government is co-investing $17 million through Strategic Indigenous Tourism Projects (SITP) with states and territories to grow First Nations tourism around the country.

In Western Australia, this includes supporting the popular Camping with Custodians (CwC) program, part of the state’s Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan.